EXCLUSIVE: Perth and Kinross sinkhole numbers rocket

Perth and Kinross Council says it recorded as many sinkholes last year as it did in all of the four years previously.

Sinkhole numbers increased dramatically in Perth and Kinross last year.

Council bosses dealt with as many sinkholes in 2025-26 as they did in all of the four years previously.

And they admit there are likely to have been more than the official figures suggest.

New data, obtained by The Courier, shows Perth and Kinross Council recorded nine defects as sinkholes in 2025-25.

That’s up from three the year before, and two in each of the preceding three years.

The council told us it does not believe this is “an exhaustive list”.

Until now it has bundled sinkholes in with other roads defects when it comes to collecting data.

But roads teams are setting up a new standalone system for sinkholes.

It follow disruption in a number of Perth streets in recent years.

Police closed Rose Terrace, next to the North Inch, after a sinkhole opened up in July.

And part of Canal Street had to be cordoned off following the discovery of a sinkhole there in the run-up to Christmas 2024.

Perth and Kinross Council admits gaps in sinkholes understanding

We made a Freedom of Information request to the council, asking it to tell us:

• The total number of sinkholes recorded in each year from 2022 to the the present day;

• The location and size of each sinkhole and the date it was recorded;

• The cost of repairs and whether or not the road had to be closed so those repairs could be carried out.

Perth and Kinross Council told us it was unable to provide that level of detail.

“Unfortunately, the council does not record information about sinkholes, holes under carriageways or carriageway collapses separately from data about other road defects,” it said in its response.

“I can advise you that the Roads Maintenance Partnership (RMP) intends to maintain a separate record of carriageway collapses (sinkhole-like collapses) in future.”

However, the council did provide what data it had on “carriageway collapses” in Perth alone last year.

These show Cross Street, Stanley Crescent and Tullylumb Farm Lane in Perth all had to be closed due to sinkholes.

Two cases were reported at separate locations on Cross Street.

A lane of traffic in Atholl Street also had to be shut for repairs.

Traffic lights were needed while work was carried out on collapses at Western Avenue and Struan Road.

A hole measuring 2m x 1m x 600mm opened up above a culvert on Glenlochay Road.

The highest priority incident was in Canal Crescent, close to the former Mucky Mulligans pub.

Here, parking restrictions were put in place during two days of repairs.

Sinkholes prioritised to protect public safety, says council

Responding to the figures, a Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson told The Courier: “There is no single reason for the increase, as each sinkhole has its own cause and the number of defects reported will fluctuate from year-to-year.

“However, factors such as wetter weather, ground conditions and the condition of underground infrastructure can all play a part in causing sinkholes.”

The spokesperson added: “We continue to inspect, monitor and maintain the road network and associated drainage infrastructure.

“Any reported sinkholes are prioritised for investigation and repair to protect public safety.”

Scottish Water carried out emergency repairs following the Rose Terrace sinkhole earlier this year.

The Canal Street sinkhole in 2024 was later found to have been caused by the partial collapse of an old underground culvert running above the historic Perth Town Lade.

The British Geological Survey says sinkholes are caused by “some kind of collapse or removal of an underlying layer of rocks that used to support the layer of material at the surface”.